How To: Win Over Her Parents

Succeed At Man's Greatest Dating Challenge

Show respect and restraint

Strictly speaking, keep your manners on full display: Treat her folks with the utmost respect when you're around them, and, when not, speak well of them. When they come to your door, be there to greet them and welcome them in. At their place, get up and do the dishes after dinner and make sure to go easy on the liquor. Try to do all this with as relaxed a demeanor as possible — this is natural to you, not some forced domestication project. There should be an easy way about you that suggests that you're accustomed to showing respect and that it's no skin off your back.

Show initiative and interest

Make the first move and invite them to dinner at your place. You can stress the importance of this meeting by making it formal. Either way, it’s a great chance to show them your financial situation, interests, lifestyle or your ability to cook and keep a nice place, without having to say a word.

At their place, ask to be guided through family photo albums. Showing a genuine interest in your girl’s family and a clear interest in her history can only inspire trust. She’s her parents’ pride and joy; they love showing her off and relating the details of her childhood.

Show creativity and attention

Ask your girlfriend a few questions about what your parents like so that you can plan accordingly. Has her dad been getting into using his home smoker lately? Why not do a little barbecuing yourself? Is mom about to retire? Be prepared to ask her about what she wants to do with all her free time. There are ways in which meeting her parents isn't that different from when you first met her: Ask questions. Get to know them. The more honest your curiosity is, the more relaxed they will feel in your presence.

her father

A woman's father sees himself as her armor and he has reason to be on guard. After all, he was once just like you: Green and deluded by his own cleverness. But today he has one thing you don’t: The realization that those fathers knew his moves and motives just like he knows yours. He will protect his little girl at any expense, and until you can win him over, you aren’t his friend.